‘It was an honour and a privilege when you asked if you could call me Dad’

The stepfather of a soldier who died after falling ill at his army barracks told his funeral yesterday he was very proud when the late Daniel Donougher called him Dad for the first time.

The three-star private from Mallow, Co Cork, died at Sarsfield Barracks in Limerick on June 22 after he fell ill during the unit’s Organised Recreational Physical Training.

The 23-year-old Cork man was stationed with the 12th battalion and part of the 141 platoon in Limerick City.